40. Uncommon amongst uncommon people

The aim we often strive for is to go above and beyond-

To be more hardworking.

To be really good at our job.

To make a difference.

This is to be uncommon. To be disciplined and recognised as doing something well. Yet, there is somewhat of a popular approach to this success.

You are with a group of hardworking individuals and you try harder than the next group of people. This is often easily recognised in school and work situations. I’m sure you’ll recognise in your life situations how there are often the cliques who give 100% in everything.

But even in those groups, you can be somewhat comfortable.

You are distinctive in a worldly stance but ultimately are very cosy in your tribe and not being different.

The challenge here is to look uncommon amongst even those working hard.

Aiming to achieve new destinations not even plotted on the map yet.

This often is rewarded by doubters, resistance, and ultimately a sense of loneliness.

“Sometimes you need to disconnect in order to best connect with yourself and with the people you serve and love” - Ryan Holiday

The balance is that you don’t become so far removed that you aren’t relatable nor have no people to help, or people to support you.

Like the quote suggests, being intentional with time to disconnect and step back. Gather learnings, level up, and grow as a person to then come back afresh with new ideas. Because ultimately people all learning from the same place will all be the same. You need different life learnings to be uncommon and make a difference.

Therefore change and loneliness aren’t something to be feared rather an opportunity… are you going to take it?

39. Work hard, play hard

We’ve all heard it before but do we live it out?

I don't really think so.

I think more and more we are moving towards this kind of entitled mentality where we work in a mediocre manner and play over the top. The sad truth of the matter is that this will never get us anywhere.

We overindulge in rewards for the silliest, smallest things. As soon as we get one little item on our to-do list done, we overindulge in rewards and gifts for ourselves saying, “oh, I deserve this- I'm so good”.

In reality, I think it's only when you have a prolonged amount of focus that reward is warranted. It is there you can fully enjoy the fruits of your labour.

I say this as there is a major issue in getting so used to being rewarding for small itty bitty work. You will never be able to have your focus for a long time. You think you need to then go on your phone, check Instagram, or have a rest for 20 minutes as soon as hard work really begins.

That's problematic because without any hard uncomfortable effort you'll never really get into any deep work.

It's instead shifting the mentality to be that of the Work hard, play hard mentality.

This comes in the form of really separating the two.

You have to be undisturbed in your work. No phone, no screens (unless necessary), no notifications. Put your head down and just do the job.

You have to do the ‘play’ part of the equation well too. This involves keeping your downtime exclusively for rest- no half baking it with checking emails or doing things we things provide rest.

This in turn allows us to double down on the work.

Because the work is the polar opposite to the play you almost yearn for the other amidst annoyance; it is such a foreign state you look longingly towards it and it is a motivator to finish your work.

This doesn’t work when you have play interwoven within your work or work in your play. Both are dulled down. You don’t get excited about the play because it is commonplace in your hard efforts and you don’t look forward to the work because it is never-ending.

It's through recognising the power in them individually that you are able to recognise the need for them to supplement one another.

Why do you think some of our greatest minds spend extended periods on ‘thinking retreats’, or ‘holidays’.

I think it’s a naive notion to believe you can work 24/7 without sacrificing quality and consistency (as well as sanity).

‘Playing hard’ allows you to ‘Work Hard’- not the other way round.

So keep your deep work sacred and focus on work with all your attention then enjoy your guilt-free adventures in your free time.

Intentionality with both work and play is key.

Knowing that you can go out there and make a monumental difference!

Thanks for reading.

38. Ideas without action

aren’t ideas.

That’s a famous quote by Steve Jobs and it’s a great challenge.

Often it is the excitement of coming up with concepts, new endeavors, and plans that we get drawn to. The endless possibilities are amazing to think about. Yet, if not acted upon they are worthless- but why do we still remain in this thinking stage anyway?

It’s because when we take action we accept the possibility of failure.

Failure can be seen as bad and painful.

So we love remaining in a comfortable state of inaction. This is often disguised as researching ideas, reading self-help books, or watching videos about productivity. Why do you think these niches are so popular?

People like feeling like they are doing something when in actual fact they are stagnant.

If you have no intention of actually living out that plan or going after that ambition you shouldn’t pretend that you are attempting to do so.

There will never be enough time, enough money, or enough resources… you need to start before you are ready- learnings happen from along the journey.

Perfectionism is paralysis.

Now stop reading and get doing!